How Do I Decide Between An Inground Or Above Ground Swimming Pool?

The decision on whether to get an inground pool or an above ground pool is an important one for potential buyers to ask themselves before starting the pool buying process. Knowing what direction you are leaning towards will allow you to take a better path down the route of pool ownership and get swimming faster!

HOW MUCH TO SPEND?

The most important question to ask yourself is what is your anticipated budget and how much are you comfortable spending on this purchase?  This really dictates what type pool candidate you are.   If you plan on spending $10,000 or less, than probably buying an inground pool is not for you.  If you are comfortable spending more, than an inground pool may be in your price range. In terms of what your investment will be in the project, there is a substantial difference in the costs of an inground and above ground pool.  An above ground pool is typically in the $3000 – $10,000 ranges, while it can cost $18,000 – $20,000 for your basic inground pool.  After you have decided on your budget then you can begin your research on that type of pool.

HOW LONG WILL YOU BE THERE?

If the price doesn’t affect your decision, then the next thing you should take into account is how long do you plan on remaining at your current residence?  It is important to remember an inground pool is a permanent installation and cannot be taken with you if you move.  If you plan on staying at least five to seven years than an inground pool may be a good choice for you.   An above ground pool, although usually a permanent structure, can be moved, taken down, relocated, and even resold to another buyer.  If you plan on moving in less than five years, the above ground pool is the better choice, especially for someone that wants to enjoy swimming but doesn’t want to make the substantial investment in something they won’t be able to use for the long term period.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION?

Another good question is what do you envision for your yard?  An inground pool and an above ground pool will offer substantially different appearances.  An inground pool allows you to do a lot more in terms of size shape, dimension of the pool and the external surroundings.  The sky is really the limit on what you can do with an inground pool.  An above ground pool gives you fewer choices.  They are generally available in round, oval, and rectangular shapes.  Some of the pools can be sunk into the ground and decks can be wrapped around them.  There is not much else that can be customized.

SURVEY SAYS!

The decision is up to you.  Budget is usually the primary determining factor.  If you are not willing to spend at least eighteen to twenty thousand for your pool project, especially if you live in the northern part of the country, you might want to look at other alternatives.  Although an above ground pool or inground pool really does not affect the resale value of a home, you do want to consider how long you plan on remaining there.